Stepped Care for Eating Disorders: A Naturalistic Comparison of Treatment Programs for Eating Disorders
摘要
This naturalistic study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of various treatment levels (partial hospitalization program, intensive outpatient program, and combined treatment) on changes in eating disorder symptoms and co-occurring symptoms in adults diagnosed with a wide range of eating disorders. This study utilized a novel approach by integrating individual and group Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy into its comprehensive treatment programs in addition to more conventional treatment modalities. Sixty-one adult patients (95% female) participated in this study. The average age of participants at admission was 26.8 years old. Forty-five participants received treatment through PHP, 29 participants received treatment through IOP, and 24 participants completed both programs and completed outcome measures upon admission and termination of each program. Outcome measures included a comprehensive assessment of eating disorder symptomatology, general psychopathology, interpersonal functioning, and overall functioning. Individuals who completed the PHP program showed significant reductions in EDE-Q, EDE-Q-Restraint, EDE-Q-Eating Concern, EDE-Q-Shape Concern, and EDE-Q-Weight Concern scores. They also reported lower BSI scores. The IOP program participants had significant decreases in EDE-Q, EDE-Q-Eating Concern, and EDE-Q-Shape Concern, and trends toward lower EDE-Q-Restraint and EDE-Q-Weight Concern scores (ps < .1). No significant changes were observed in BSI scores for the IOP group (p > .05). The combined PHP and IOP groups showed significant reductions in all EDE-Q subscales as well as the BSI-18, PHQ-9, GAD-7, OQ-45, IIP, and WHOQOL-BREF. Clinicians and researchers should continue to explore and refine psychodynamic approaches at various treatment levels to enhance treatment outcomes.